Hello all,
In HSD's last communication on November 10, HSD announced that students in grades 3-12 would remain in Comprehensive Distance Learning (CDL) through at least Semester 1, and that students in grades PreK-2 could possibly return to in-person learning as early as mid-January if the health metrics in Washington County were within the appropriate range.
Unfortunately, we have seen the health metrics trending in the opposite direction for the past several weeks. Data for the most recent reporting period, November 15 - November 28, shows a COVID-19 case rate of 411.5 per 100,000 of population and test positivity rate of 8.6%. Experts expect the number of positive cases to continue rising over the next few weeks because of colder temperatures moving people indoors, as well as increased travel and gatherings over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Therefore, we have made the decision to keep students in grades PreK-2 in CDL at least through Semester 1, along with the rest of our student body.
Because current guidance calls for our youngest students to return to school first, followed by additional grade levels on an incremental basis, so long as the health metrics continue to fall within acceptable ranges. This means that students in grades 3-12 will definitely be starting Semester 2 in CDL. How long each grade level will remain in CDL depends on the health situation in our county.
We will provide another update on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, and will then move to regular updates at least every other week from that date forward (Jan. 19, Feb. 2, etc.).
Please visit the 2020-21 School Year page of our website for additional information and a chart showing a summary of the current health metrics.
Thank you, as always, for your ongoing patience and understanding. Please have a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season!
